High-tension cut-out system and the like



3 Sheets-Sheet l F C VAN ETTEN men TENSION CUT-OUT SYSTEM AND THE LIKE May 1, 1923.

May 1, 1923. 1,453,774 'F. c. VAN ETTEN HIGH .TENSION CUT-OUT SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 qZTL J8 L7 i g 10 v5 20 29 E7 0 za 5/ f "Z0 \i #52 g I i i :JWI'MW 129 '5 5 MM 3' H J72 z "c izfo 7" WY/Hfi'ZV/ZflQ/PZ/Z May 1, 1923. 1,453,774

' F. C. VAN ETTEN HIGH TENSION CUT-OUT SYSTEM AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1920 s Sheets-Sheet 5 FRANK 0.

PATENT OFFICE.

VAN ETTEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DELTA-STAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

HIGH-TENSION CUT OUT SYSTEM AND THE LIKE.

Application filed January 9, 1920.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK C. VAN ETTEN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in High-Tension Cut- Out Systems and the like, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has to dowith improvements in high tension transmission systems and the like. The features of the invention have particular reference to certain improvements in the manner in which certain of the high tension elements are mounted, particularly with reference to a local transformer station or the like, so that the transformer station can be cut out in a very simple manner, and without danger to the operator.

One of the objects of the invention is to mount the cut-out elements in a pivotal manner so that they can be operated by a simple rotating motion on fixed pivots, and in this connection an object is to arrange said pivotal mounting in conjunction with high tension insulators or the like, which insulators will constitute pivotal mountings or a portion of such mountings.

Another feature of the invention has reference to the association of certain of the lightning protection devices with the pivotal mounting aforesaid in such a manner that the operation of said lightning protecting devices will be co-ordinated with the pivotal mounting. More particularly an object in this connection is to so relate the pivotal mounting with the usual horn type lightning arrester that the gap of said lighting arrester will be accurately and certainly established and maintained at all times during the pivotal operation of the cut-out, one of the horns for this purpose being mounted in alignment with the pivotal mounting so that the proper spark gap will be maintained.

Still another feature in this connection relates to -the use-of a pair of spring contacts in conjunction with knife blade contacts or the like at the point of opening and closing the: circuit, the spring contacts being so related that they will first. come into engagement before the knife contacts, and will disengage after the knife contacts, and in such disengagement will assist the breaking ofthe current then existing 011 the line.

, e n othergfeatureof the invention has ref Serial No. 350,269.

erence to a very simple and efficacious mechanism for causing the proper pivotal movement of the parts in their normal operation.

Other objects andv uses of the invention will appear from a detailed. description of the same which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a pole or tower having applied to its upper end a transformer and cut-out device for a single phase circuit, all embodying the features of the present invention, the central portion of the tower being cut away so to shorten up the figure;

Figure 2 shows a side view corresponding to Fig. 1; 1

Figure 3 shows a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1., looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 shows a view correspondin to Fig. 1, with the exception that it illustrates a modified type of construction in which three cut-out elements have been provided corresponding to the three legs of the three phase circuits, and

Figure 5 shows another modified form of construction in which the choke coil mounted axially instead of radially.

Referring in the first place to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in the said construction the parts are shown as being mounted on a tower or pole This serves as a convenient and usual mounting, but it will be understood that in many instances the parts will be conveniently mounted on some other structure, as, for example, a bridge, or a null. On this tower are also shown a cross arm 6 carrying the high tension insulators. 7, S. and 9 of the usual type. The high tension lines l0, l1, and 12 are shown as carried by the insulators 7, 8, and 9, but in the present instance only the two legs 10 and 12 are considered, since in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the features of the present invention are illustrated as being applied to a single-phase circuit. 1 7

At another point on the tower, and as a matter of convenience, usually beneath the cross arm 6, there is mounted another cross arm 13. This cross arm serves as a convenient support for the upper portion of the pivotal mountings, and also as a convenient support for certain of the stationary ele ments. At still another point, ordinarily beneath the arm 13 is mounted another cross arm 14 which serves as a further support for the pivotal mountings. A transformer 15 is illustrated as mounted on the back side of the pole, said transformer having the high tension leads 16 and 17, and the low tension leads 18 and 19.

On the cross arm 1.3 there is mounted a high tension insulator 20 corresponding to each phase of the circuit, and each of these high tension insulators carries a relatively stationary contact 21, the contacts 21 of the two arms of the circuits being permanently connected. to the high tension lines 10 and 12 by the leads 22 and 23. At another point on the arm 13 there are mounted the high tension insulators 24 corresponding to the insulators 20 and the insulators 24 are ordinarily mounted closer in toward the tower or pole than the insulators 20, although this is a matter of choice in each case as to whether the arrangement might be reversed. The location of the insulators 2a closer together and closer to the pole or tower than the insulators 20 presents in some cases the advantage, however, that those lines which are permanently live are thereby located as far from the tower as possible with consequent increase in safety to operators, and the further advantage that by locating the insulators 24 as close as possible to the tower, the movable parts which may from time to time require adjustment or replacement are thereby brought into a more convenient location for a workman on the tower.

()n the cross arm 1 1 there are located other high tension insulators the same being substantially beneath the corresponding insulators 24. It will be observed that the insulators 24 project sidewisc from the cross arm 13, whereas the insulators 25 stand upright from the cross arm 2:1. The insulators 25, or their pins 26, are pivotally mounted, so that the insulators may rock on. a vertical axis while supported on the cross arm. The tip portions of the insulators 2+2 are located in substantial alignment with the central or axial portions of the insulators 2Z5, and for this purpose, it will be observed that the cross arm 13 is mounted on one side of the pole or tower and the cross arm 14 on the other side thereof.

A rod or tube 27 has its upper portion pivoted on the end of the corresponding insulator 24 as by means of an eye 28. The lower end of each of the rods or tubes 27 is carried by the corresponding insulato 25 either directly or indirectly. In the construction illustrated this is an indirect support, an insulator 29 being interposed between each rod and the corresponding insulator 25. In such case each.iusulator 25 carries a pin 30 for the corresponding insulator 29. The purpose of this intermediate insulator 29 will be understood. when it is used, from the following explanation:

A coke coil 3]. has its inner end connected to the lower end of each of the corresponding rods or tubes 27, said choke coil being located above the correspondinginsulator 29. The outer end 32 of each choke coil connects with the corresponding high tension lead 16 or 17 as the case may be by means of a fuse 33. In case such fuse should blow the choke coil and high tension connections will be disconnected from the transformer and insulated from ground and from the transformer by means of the interposed insulator.

The upper end of each of the tubes or rods 27 carries a contact arm 34, the outer end of which has a contact finger 35 adapted to wipe under the corresponding contact 21, so that by rotating the rods or tubes 27. the arms 34 will be swung back and forth and the circuits consequently opened or closed. The main power load is carried by direct contact of the contacts 21 and 35. At the instant of opening and closing the circuits, however, supplemental or secondary contacts are actuated as follows: A spiral of spring wire 36 has one end connected to each stationary contact 21, and its free end 37 is extended upward at a slight angle. The swinging end of each arm 34 carries a spring wire 38 which wipes against the corresponding wire 37. The arrangement is such that in opening the circuit the contacts 21 and 35 first separate and afterwards the wires 37 and 38. In closing the circuit a reverse action takes place.

It will be observed that with the arrangements so far described, a mere rotating of the rods or tubes 27 on their axes will completely cut out the high tension side of the transformer including the choke coils lightning arresters and fuses when they are used. It will also be observed that this operation effected by means of the simplest type of mechanical construction. and one which is extremely well adapted for high tension support and for the resistance of very high voltages.

When a lightning arrester is to he associated with the parts, this may conveniently be done in the following manner:

The stationary horn 39 for each arrester is carried by a suitable support 40 from the cross arm 13, said support 40 also carrying the resistance blocks 41 of the usual type. The live horn 42 extends upwardly from the corresponding rod or tube 27 co-axially to the point 43 where the gap is located. so that as each rod or tube 27 is rotated, the live horn simply rotates on its own center or axis and in such manner that when the circuit is closed to electrify the transformer, the desired size of gap is established. It will be observed that in this connection the lightning arrester is completely cut off from the high tension line at the same time that the circuit is opened. In this way all of those elements which will ordinarily require attention from time to time are cut out and fully disconnected from the high tension lines in the simplest possible manner.

The rotating of the rods or tubes 27 may, of course, be effected in any convenient manner, but a very simple arrangement is that illustrated in the drawings. This arrangement includes a finger or lever arm 44 connected to each of the insulator pins 26, a four-arm bell crank lever 45, links 46 connecting the levers 44 with two of the opposite arms of said bell crank, an operating lever 47 pivoted to the post or tower at the point 48, and links 49 and 50 connecting the operating lever 48 with the other arms of the four-arm bell crank 45. By moving the operating lever 47 up and down, both of the rods or tubes 27 are simultaneously rocked in the proper directions to cut the transformer and associated devices into or out of high tension circuit.

'The modified arrangement shown in Fig. 4 contemplates the use of parts similar to those just explained operating in a similar manner to produce a similar result, with the exception that the number of parts is correspondingly multiplied and properly related to cut the three legs of a three-phase system into and out of circuit instead of the two legs of a single-phase system.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the parts are modified to the extent that the choke coil is axially mounted and the coil itself surrounds the shaft or rod.

It is to be observed that the arrangement herein disclosed is admirably adapted for the construction and operation of unitary substations for high tension distribution systems, since it is possible thereby to bring the transformer, lightning arresting and protecting devices and cut-out devices into a unitary arrangement and, if desired, on a single pole or tower. By this means it is possible to construct and manufacture the substation largely as a unit, and according to standard specifications.

I claim:

1. A high-tension cut-out station comprising inv combination a pole, a cross arm on one side of the pole,'another cross arm at a higher elevation and on the opposite side of the pole, a pair of vertical insulator pins pivotally mounted on the first mentioned cross arm, high potential insulators thereon, a pair of horizontal insulator pins on the second mentioned cross arm, high potential insulators thereon above the first mentioned insulators, a sectional rod or the like extending vertically from each of the first mentioned high potential insulators to the corresponding second mentioned high potential insulators and pivotally connected to both of said insulators to turn on a vertical axis, an insulating member between the sections of each of said sectionalized rods or the like, a horizontal contact arm on the upper portion of each of the sectionalized rods aforesaid, a stationary contact in position to be engaged by each of said arms, a high potential insulating support for each of said stationary contacts, a vertical lightning arrester horn on the upper end of each of the sectionalized rods and rotating therewith, a stationary lightning arrester horn adjacent to each of the lightning arrester horns aforesaid, a choke coil extending sidewise from the upper section of each of the sectionalized rods aforesaid and connected thereto, a high potential fuse between the outer end of each of said choke coils and the lower section of the sectionalized rod aforesaid, and means for simultaneously rotating both of the pivotally 'mounted insulator pins, substantially as described.

2. A high-tension cut-out station comprising in combination a pole, a cross arm on the pole, another cross arm at a higher elevation on the opposite side of the pole, a pair of vertical insulator pins pivotally mounted on the first mentioned cross arm, high potential insulators thereon, a pair of horizontal insulator pins on the second mentioned cross arm, high potential insulators thereon above the first mentioned insulators, a sectional rod or the like extending vertically from each of the first mentioned high potential insulators to the corresponding second mentioned high potential insulator and pivotally connected to both of said insulators to turn on a vertical axis, the sections of each such rod being insulated from each other, a horizontal contact arm on the upper portion of each of the sectionalized rods aforesaid, a stationary contact in position to be engaged by each of said arms, a high potential insulating support for each of said stationary contacts, a vertical lightning arrester horn on the upper end of each of the sectionalized rods and rotating therewith, a stationary lightning arrester horn adjacent to each of the lightning arrester horns aforesaid, and means for simultaneously rotating both of the pivotally mounted insulator pins, substantially as described.

3. A high-tension cut-out station comprising in combination a pole, across arm on one side of the pole, another cross arm at a higher elevation on the pole, a pair of vertical rods or the like extending between the two cross arms, each rod being pivotally mounted with respect to the cross arm and insulated therefrom and adapted to turn on a vertical axis, the upper and lower portions of each rod being insulated from each other, a horizontal contact arm on the upper portion of each of the sectionalized rods aforesaid, a stationary contact in posit-ion to be engaged by each of said arms, a high potential insulating support for each of said stationary contacts, a vertical lightnin arrester horn on the upper end of each of t 1e sectionalized rods and rotating therewith, a stationary lightnin arrester horn adjacent to each of the lig itning arrester horns aforesaid, a choke coil extending sidewise from the upper section of each of the sectionulized rods aforesaid and connected thereto, a high potential fuse between the outer end of each of said choke coils and the lower section of the sezrtionalized rod aforesaid, and means for sin'iultaneously rotat ing the sectionalized rods, substantially as described.

4. A high-tension cut-out station comprising in combination a pole, a pair of cross arms located at different longitudinal positions on the pole, a pair of rods or the like extending between the cross arms and pivotally mounted with respect to the cross arms and insulated from the cross arms and adapted to turn on a vertical axis, an outstanding contact arm adjacent to one end of each of the rods aforesaid, a. stationary contact in position to be engaged by each of said arms, a high potential insulating support for said stationary contacts, a lightning arrestcr horn on the end portion of each rod and rotating therewith, a stationary light ning arrester horn adjacent to each of the lightning arrester horns aforesaid, and means for simultaneously rotating both of the rods or the like, substantially as described.

A high-tension cut-out station comprising in combination pole, a pair of rods or the like, high potential insulating supports therefor sustaining said rods in a vertical position and permitting them to turn on a vertical axis, an outstanding contact arm adjacent to one end of each rod, a stationary contact in position to be engaged by each of said arms, a high potential insulating support therefor, a longitudinal lightning arrester horn on each of the rods aforesaid, a stationary lightning arrester horn adjacent to each of the aforesaid lightning arrester horns, and means for simultaneously rotating both of the rods, substantially as described.

(3. A high-tension cut-out station comprising in combination a sectionalized rod, the sections whereof are insulated from each other, pivotal insulating supports for said rods permitting the rod to rotate only on a vertical axis, a longitudinally extending lightning arrester horn on one end of the rod and rotating therewith, a stationary lightnin arrester horn adjacent to the ftfOI'GSfllt lightning a-rrester horn, an outstanding contact arm on that section of the rod to which is connected the first mentioned lightning arrester horn, a stationary contact in position to be engaged by the outstanding arm aforesaid, a suitable insulating support for the stationary contact, a choke coil connected to that section of the rod to which the first mentioned lightning arrester horn is connected, a fuse from the other end of the choke coil to the other section of the rod, means for rocking the rod on its vertical pivotal support, and means for insulating said rocking means from the rod, substantially as described.

7. A high-tension cut-out station comprising in combination a rod or the like, a pivotal insulating support therefor permitting said rod to rotate only on a vertical axis, an axially extending lightning arrester horn on one end of the rod and rotating therewith, a stationary lightning arrester horn adjacent to the lightning arrester horn aforesaid, an outstanding contact arm swinging with the rotations of the rod, a stationary contact in position to be en aged by said contact arm, a suitable insul ating support for the stationary contact, means for rotating the arm on its pivotal mounting, and means for insulating said rotating means from the rod, substantially as described.

FRANK C. VAN ETTEN. 

